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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana
10.20.4110.20.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.42

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शरदर्कांशुजांस्तापान् भूतानामुडुपोऽहरत् ।

देहाभिमानजं बोधो मुकुन्दो व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ ४२ ॥

śarad-arkāṁśu-jāṁs tāpān

bhūtānām uḍupo ’harat

dehābhimāna-jaṁ bodho

mukundo vraja-yoṣitām

Translation

The autumn moon relieved all creatures of the suffering caused by the sun’s rays, just as wisdom relieves a person of the misery caused by his identifying with his material body and as Lord Mukunda relieves Vṛndāvana’s ladies of the distress caused by their separation from Him.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Wisdom and Mukunda Bring Relief

  1. 1

    The autumn moon relieved all creatures of the suffering caused by the sun’s rays.

  2. 2

    Similarly, wisdom relieves the misery caused by identifying with the material body.

  3. 3

    Lord Mukunda relieves Vṛndāvana’s ladies of the distress caused by separation from Him.

How it feels

Attraction and threat → Joy and trust. The pastoral world becomes the setting for protection and love.

Chapters 20–28 of Canto 10: Forest seasons, flute and Govardhana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana

Summary of this chapter:

To enhance the description of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes in this chapter the beauty of Vṛndāvana during autumn and the rainy season. In the course of his presentation he gives various charming instructions in metaphorical terms.
Back to this verse in chapter 10.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śarat-arkaof the autumn sun
  2. aṁśufrom the rays
  3. jāngenerated
  4. tāpānsuffering
  5. bhūtānāmof all creatures
  6. uḍupaḥthe moon
  7. aharathas taken away
  8. dehawith the material body
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “suffering”, “distress”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “material”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “separation”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this verse help me distinguish bodily distress from longing for the Lord?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute reflecting on the verse’s teaching that wisdom relieves suffering caused by bodily identification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWisdom and Mukunda Bring ReliefThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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